Carbamazepine (CBZ), a widely consumed psychotropic pharmaceutical, is one of the most frequently detected pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) in water bodies. Its removal has become an issue from the human health and environmental risks point of view, due to its latent recalcitrance and toxicity properties. The oxidative removal of carbamazepine in aqueous medium has been investigated by electrooxidation processes using Ti/PbO2 and Ti/BDD circular anode electrodes in the presence of NaSO4 as electrolyte in a batch electrochemical reactor. The effect of different parameters such as current intensity (from 1 to 2A), electrolysis time (from 60 to 120min), recirculation flow rate (from 167 to 333mlmin−1), and anode material (PbO2 and BDD) were investigated by an experimental design methodology. A Factorial Design 24 was firstly used to determine the effect of parameters mentioned above on CBZ removal. The electrolysis time and current intensity were the main parameters affecting CBZ removal rate. Then, the optimal experimental parameters for carbamazepine removal were investigated using a Central Composite Design. The optimal conditions determined turned out to be Ti/PbO2 anode, current intensity 1.37A, electrolysis time 101min, and recirculation flow rate 232mlmin−1. Under these conditions the removal of 88±1.2% of CBZ and 3.159mgL−1min−1 of p-nitrosodimethylaniline were achieved. The decay kinetics was fitted a first-order reaction

In recent years carotenoids have represented a good alternative for the pharmaceutical and food industries and especially for the human health, they prevent different diseases, such cancer, macular degradation and cataracts. The use of post-harvest residues represents a good alternative for obtaining analytes of interest. The application of enzymatic pretreatment over plant matrices has resulted in an increase in the level of extraction and lowered operating costs. Today, the use of organic solvents such as hexane in this process is frequent, however, new investigations with novel environmentally friendly solvents (non-toxic) promise new cleaner technologies. The aim of this review is to present some methodologies and technologies used today to obtain carotenoids from plant residues, industrial and post-harvest materials.

In Mexico, relatively few studies have examined the presence of protozoan parasites from surface waters with irrigation and wash-water applications in the fresh produce industry. In this study, the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in surface water for irrigation, washing and disinfecting applications was evaluated. In addition, the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts was determined in wash-water tanks at selected packinghouses. The occurrence of both Cryptosporidium and Giardia was determined by an immunofluorescent technique. Forty-eight percent of the surface water samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and 50% tested positive for Giardia cysts. Concentration ranges for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were 17 – 200 and 17 – 1633 per 100 litres, respectively. Sixteen percent of the wash-water tanks tested positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and 83% were positive for Giardia cysts with concentrations ranging from 1 – 133 oocysts and 100 – 533 cysts per 100 litres, respectively. The presence of protozoan parasites in surface water for irrigation and packinghouse operations suggests that there may be a risk of contamination of fresh produce as protozoan oocysts/cysts might come in contact with and attach to crop surfaces posing a risk of infection to consumers who eat these products.